As a child growing up in a small Southern California town, many of my classmates were Mexican, some newly arrived, some the long-standing founders of the town.

All had one thing in common: mothers and grandmothers whose kitchens radiated exotic aromas and delightfully delicious tastes. The moment my friends and I entered the house we were greeted with plates, filled with good good things to eat.. Empanadas, tiny meatballs, peppers (jalapenos and others) filled with cheese or beef or pork or beans. Plus a host of other delights. Aside from all these exotic good eats, most of the rest of us knew nothing of food except that it was hearty, Midwestern fare, good to stave off hunger pangs, but hardly the stuff of palate tingling euphoria.

Over the years, I’ve always been on the prowl for Mexican restaurants and from time to time, I’ve had some good meals, though never quite as good (at least in memory) as proffered by all those grandmothers!

Sad to say, however, until recently, I never experienced a decent Mexican morsel in Savannah.

The first time I tried La Xalapeña was with high hopes. The menu seemed filled with promise. I was simultaneously surprised and disappointed. Surprised that it was so good, disappointed that it wasn’t the perfect replica of a grandmamma Mexicana. So a few weeks later, I tried again. Here, indeed was the best Mexican food I’ve eaten in Savannah.

Among my all-time favorite dishes are Enchiladas Verde. Filled with genuine Mexican cheese instead of the usual Velveeta-like goo, they’re topped with more cheese, the buttery, creamy Asadero beloved by Mexicans, and green enchilada sauce. Then sprinkled with a light layer of shredded lettuce.

The beef, chicken and bean enchiladas each have their individual flavors, not too spicy, but well seasoned and far from bland. The empanadas proved to be another true delight. Big, fat, and packed with filling—the beef ones especially skillfully seasoned with just the right amounts of garlic, onion, cumin and oregano.

The menu is extensive with tacos, fajitas, burritos, gorditas, and a wide variety of platters including chicken mole, carne asada and a variety of Mexican fish dishes.

Breakfast fare is also offered… the huevos rancheros sound especially promising. And there are kids’ meals, and a few nods to American tastes with chicken wings and burgers.

The only drawback to this South of the Border eatery is that they have no beer license, and to me, a Mexican dinner without beer is like an Italian dinner without wine…like a day without sunshine! So thus far, I’ve picked up the food and taken it home, where I’m well stocked with Dos Equis!

If you like Mexican food, try it….you’ll like it.

Questions? Comments? Email Editor@SavannahBest.com.

La Xalapeña
2308 Skidaway Rd.
Savannah, GA 31404
234-0876
Hours: 8 am to 9 pm Sunday through Thurs.
Fri. & Sat. till 10 pm
Most dishes $4.99 to 5.99; Platters: 7.99